Download 2026

[defsteve]

16 hours ago, MasterHand said:

Hello,

 

my first post. I’ve been monitoring for awhile on this forum and decided to join in. 
 

It’s first time I’ve bought a ticket to a festival without actually knowing any bands on the bill. Usually I know who’s playing but wanted to do something different.

 

anyway, I was thinking about these as headliners:

 

Friday - Deftones

Saturday - Ghost

Sunday - Linkin Park

 

I still think System of a Down or My Chemical Romance could headline. Simply because they are in the UK that month and I don’t see other plans on their schedule. Would Def Leppard also be a possibility? Is it possible for Evanescence to finally have a shot at the headline slot? 
 

As for the other acts over the weekend on other stages: Perturbator, Nova Twins, Megadeth, In This Moment, Halestorm. Dare I say Yungblud to make an appearance over the weekend?

 

look forward to talking. Less than a month to go!

 

 

 

Deftones will be 2027.

[MasterHand]

16 minutes ago, Marka23 said:

Def Leppard, Deftones, MCR and System are all ruled out due to having tours next year 

Aerosmith and Yungblud? Since they are talk of the town at the moment. 

[Siddey1994]

4 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

We aren’t we’re just joking with each other. Let’s all just move on 🤣

Fair enough then, I take it Spiral is secretly a massive TØP fan so I’ll let it go lol

[Marka23]

1 minute ago, MasterHand said:

Aerosmith and Yungblud? Since they are talk of the town at the moment. 

Aerosmith aren't touring and Yungblud has a US run clashing with Download 

[OllieJ77]

23 minutes ago, Siddey1994 said:

Fair enough then, I take it Spiral is secretly a massive TØP fan so I’ll let it go lol

Got posters of Clancy on his wall I reckon!

[OllieJ77]

25 minutes ago, MasterHand said:

Aerosmith and Yungblud? Since they are talk of the town at the moment. 

Following bands are ruled out due to UK dates within the Download time frame given the exclusivity clause:

•    ⁠MCR
•    ⁠Iron Maiden
•    ⁠System of a Down
•    ⁠The Offspring
•    ⁠Deftones
•    ⁠Biffy Clyro (earlier in 2026 but still makes me think very unlikely and rules them out in my head happy to be told wrong)
•    ⁠Metallica
•    ⁠The Cure
•    ⁠Good Charlotte (not headliners)
•    ⁠Def Leppard
•    ⁠Alter Bridge (not headliners)

 

Have I missed anyone doing UK shows?

 

Then you’ve got ruled out due to festivals / tours that weekend:

•    ⁠Bring Me the Horizon
•    ⁠Papa Roach
•    ⁠Architects
•    ⁠Yungblud

 

Ruled out due to headlining within the last 2 years:

•    ⁠Sleep Token
•    ⁠Korn
•    ⁠Green Day
•    ⁠Fall Out Boy
•    ⁠Queens of the Stone Age
•    ⁠Avenged Sevenfold

 

 

[OllieJ77]

Hope this list helps:
 

Bands left in the pool:

Linkin Park (favourite)

Limp Bizkit (another favourite)

•    ⁠GnR (heavily rumoured many people told it’s them by “sources” could be rubbish could be true they aren’t announced for anything so who knows)
•    ⁠Ghost (seems like the likely option and preferred choice)
•    ⁠Blink 182 (would be an excellent choice and the next pop punk headliner)
•    ⁠Twenty One Pilots (rumours are they are doing R&L)
•    ⁠Slipknot (can’t rule them out but not likely to be around rumours are working on new album)
•    ⁠Muse
•    ⁠Rammstein
•    ⁠Tool
•    ⁠NIN
•    ⁠Paramore
•    ⁠Panic at the Disco (might be too poppy for Download)
•    ⁠AC/DC
•    ⁠Foo Fighters (though never choose DL)
•    ⁠Nickelback
•    ⁠Pearl Jam

Parkway Drive (might not be ready to headline)

Bad Omens (not quite ready to headline)

[Spiral_Low]

50 minutes ago, Siddey1994 said:

Fair enough then, I take it Spiral is secretly a massive TØP fan so I’ll let it go lol

They suck. 

[Siddey1994]

2 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

They suck. 

Dude we get it, Breach is your AOTY. You don’t have to keep banging on about it

[Spiral_Low]

Just now, Siddey1994 said:

Dude we get it, Breach is your AOTY. You don’t have to keep banging on about it

I mean you brought me up dude. You seem awfully upset that someone doesn't like the same band as you. Who cares? 

[Deviskan]

25 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

Hope this list helps:
 

Bands left in the pool:

Linkin Park (favourite)

Limp Bizkit (another favourite)

•    ⁠GnR (heavily rumoured many people told it’s them by “sources” could be rubbish could be true they aren’t announced for anything so who knows)
•    ⁠Ghost (seems like the likely option and preferred choice)
•    ⁠Blink 182 (would be an excellent choice and the next pop punk headliner)
•    ⁠Twenty One Pilots (rumours are they are doing R&L)
•    ⁠Slipknot (can’t rule them out but not likely to be around rumours are working on new album)
•    ⁠Muse
•    ⁠Rammstein
•    ⁠Tool
•    ⁠NIN
•    ⁠Paramore
•    ⁠Panic at the Disco (might be too poppy for Download)
•    ⁠AC/DC
•    ⁠Foo Fighters (though never choose DL)
•    ⁠Nickelback
•    ⁠Pearl Jam

Parkway Drive (might not be ready to headline)

Bad Omens (not quite ready to headline)

Panic at the Disco ‘might’ be too poppy for Download…think you’ve downplayed that a smidgen!

 

Whats next, The Kooks and Coldplay?

[Deviskan]

I’m taking my son to his first festival for next years Download (surprise Xmas present)…hoping the Headliners come from the following, as he likes each of these:

 

Linkin Park

Ghost

Slipknot (he saw them last year in Manchester for his first gig and loved it)

Limp Bizkit

 

So it’s looking positive from the rumours on this thread he will at least get one of the above.

 

Its a shame Iron Maiden are doing their own thing, as that’s another one he would love to see.

 

Personally, I’m hoping Cancer Bats, Tool, Rival Sons and A Perfect Circle are there…would’ve loved to see Opeth again, but looks like they’re just doing the one UK show next year.

[Siddey1994]

16 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

I mean you brought me up dude. You seem awfully upset that someone doesn't like the same band as you. Who cares? 

Right are we joking around or not, because I feel like this is going in circles now 😂 it’s banter

[foolee]

Can’t see past Ghost, Bizkit & Linkin Park at this point. I’d be shocked if it was GNR instead. Although it’d sell well it just feels a bit strange and like old Download, like 1 step forward, 2 steps back kind of thing. 

[Siddey1994]

Must say it is definitely refreshing not to have a clue for the first time in yonks though. Besides Linkin Park obvs.

[foolee]

Another guess/prediction:

 

Fri
Apex: Limp Bizkit, Marilyn Manson, Skindred
Opus: Megadeth, Motionless In White
Avalanche: The Rasmus

 

Sat
Apex: Ghost, Volbeat, Baby Metal
Opus: Trivium, Electric Callboy
Avalanche: Neck Deep

 

Sun
Apex: Linkin Park, Bad Omens, Ice Nine Kills
Opus: A Perfect Circle, The Pretty Reckless
Avalanche: Soft Play

Edited October 17, 2025 by foolee

[Spiral_Low]

1 hour ago, Siddey1994 said:

Right are we joking around or not, because I feel like this is going in circles now 😂 it’s banter

Misunderstood, no worries it's all good.

48 minutes ago, foolee said:

Can’t see past Ghost, Bizkit & Linkin Park at this point. I’d be shocked if it was GNR instead. Although it’d sell well it just feels a bit strange and like old Download, like 1 step forward, 2 steps back kind of thing. 

Muse are active next year, announced for a festival in India in February I believe. 

[foolee]

6 minutes ago, Spiral_Low said:

Misunderstood, no worries it's all good.

Muse are active next year, announced for a festival in India in February I believe. 

Can see Muse doing Aug festivals or their own thing next year. Seem to be gearing up to release a new album

[alexs7]

1 hour ago, Siddey1994 said:

Must say it is definitely refreshing not to have a clue for the first time in yonks though. Besides Linkin Park obvs.

I mean it could easily be LB/GnR/LP, if that's true then it's been right in front of us for months

[alexs7]

Does anyone know when the other EU fests announce their lineups (Graspop, Hellfest, Sweden Rock ect?) Is it before or after Download announce?

[ThatDazFella]

1 hour ago, Deviskan said:

I’m taking my son to his first festival for next years Download (surprise Xmas present)…hoping the Headliners come from the following, as he likes each of these:

 

Linkin Park

Ghost

Slipknot (he saw them last year in Manchester for his first gig and loved it)

Limp Bizkit

 

So it’s looking positive from the rumours on this thread he will at least get one of the above.

 

Its a shame Iron Maiden are doing their own thing, as that’s another one he would love to see.

 

Personally, I’m hoping Cancer Bats, Tool, Rival Sons and A Perfect Circle are there…would’ve loved to see Opeth again, but looks like they’re just doing the one UK show next year.

Same, my lad will nearly be 17. He's hoping for Limp Bizkit, Ghost (saw them last year), Blink 182, Foos or GNR among others. Done quite a few gigs with him over the last few years but this will be his 1st festival. Hope you both have fun.

[korokband]

It would be quite funny if after all this it turns out Linkin Park aren't headlining.

[OllieJ77]

41 minutes ago, korokband said:

It would be quite funny if after all this it turns out Linkin Park aren't headlining.

Could you imagine 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[OllieJ77]

2 hours ago, Deviskan said:

Panic at the Disco ‘might’ be too poppy for Download…think you’ve downplayed that a smidgen!

 

Whats next, The Kooks and Coldplay?

I mean old school Panic fits in the FOB Paramore Blink scene. The later stuff does not granted. They’re playing When We Were Young fest this year.

 

I know it was in jest but I reckon Coldplay are cracking live and put on a great show. 

Edited October 17, 2025 by OllieJ77

[Deviskan]

7 minutes ago, OllieJ77 said:

I know it was in jest but I reckon Coldplay are cracking live and put on a great show. 

If you like beige, bland, non-offensive pop music…fair enough, each to their own!

 

Their first Album was ok…then they zoomed downhill faster than Chris Martin disappeared up his own backside.